Summary: Chief Lacy brings more than 39 years of law enforcement experience and 32 years of police command experience to the Citizens and the City of Willow Park. Lacy will begin his duties 24 March and the City will hold a meet-and-greet event to welcome the chief once he arrives.
• Latest Update: posted 13 March, 2025
• Tags: #EMSFirePoliceAmb
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
Willow Park welcomes new Police Chief Ray Lacy.
Chief Lacy brings more than 39 years of law enforcement experience and 32 years of police command experience to the Citizens and the City of Willow Park. [1]
Lacy was most recently the interim police chief in Jourdanton, Texas (south of San Antonio). Parker County, however, is closer to home and family. Lacy grew up in Mesquite before embarking on a 39-year law enforcement career. Lacy said he was already familiar with Willow Park due to his long-time friendship with council member Chawn Gilliland. [2]
The City started its search for a new Police Chief during the 23 January 2025 Special Council Meeting [3], when City accepted the resignation of Police Chief Franklin, and appointed Interim Chief Quincy Hamilton. [4]
Lacy has served with City of University Park, City of Shavano Park, City of Leon, Harris County, and Goose Creek ISD, as well as working with the Aledo ISD Police Department from 2006-2009. Ray holds a Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, an Associate’s degree from El Centro College, and has completed more than 10,300 hours of advanced studies in management and criminal justice. [1]
“People here want quality services – both the residents and businesses – and they want exceptional service. I aim to enhance the level of the department, which is already doing a great job... It’s about getting out there and really being a part of the place we serve, and I’m excited to get out there.” [1]
Willow Park City Manager Bryan Grimes said the target date for Lacy to begin his duties is March 24. [2] The city will hold a meet-and-greet event to welcome the chief once he arrives. [1]
• Willow Park Civics Research
[1] Ray Lacy named Chief of Police, City of Willow Park website, 12 March 2025,
The City of Willow Park is proud to announce the appointment of Ray Lacy as its next Chief of Police.
Chief Lacy brings more than 39 years of law enforcement experience and 32 years of police command experience to the department. Lacy has been working the last several years as an independent contractor advising police departments on best practices accreditation and serving as Interim Chief for some departments.
He chose the Willow Park community because he saw similarities between the city and other cities he’s served.
“It’s an up-and-coming area, and that will come with specific challenges that remind me a lot of Shavano Park,” said Lacy. “People here want quality services – both the residents and businesses – and they want exceptional service. I aim to enhance the level of the department, which is already doing a great job.”
He has served with City of University Park, City of Shavano Park, City of Leon, Harris County, and Goose Creek ISD, as well as working with the Aledo ISD Police Department from 2006-2009. Ray holds a Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, an Associate’s degree from El Centro College, and has completed more than 10,300 hours of advanced studies in management and criminal justice.
“There are a few different kinds of officers, and the best kind are the ones who don’t see it merely as a job or career, but have a real passion for the work,” said Lacy. “I want to develop staff with that kind of passion.”
“It’s about getting out there and really being a part of the place we serve, and I’m excited to get out there.”
He holds a Master Peace Officer license, Master Telecommunicator license, Advanced Instructor and Firearms Instructor certification, Mental Health Certification, Special Investigator in Sexual Assault and Family Violence Certification, Court Security Specialist, and received his certification as a Crime Prevention Specialist. He is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University, where he has completed senior management courses, has attended the FBI-LEEDA courses and has attended the Texas FBI Command College.
In August 2022 Ray completed and was awarded the Texas Law Enforcement Command Officer Certification, becoming the first police chief to complete and receive this designation. He also attended and graduated from the 157th class of the Law Enforcement Leadership program in September 2022.
He will join the staff later this month. The city will hold a meet-and-greet event to welcome the chief once he arrives.
[2] [11 March 2025 Council Meeting Review] Willow Park: City hires new police chief, The Community News, 12 March 2025
City hires new police chief
Following an executive session at its March 11 city council meeting, the council voted to hire Ray Lacy as the city’s new police chief.
Lacy was most recently the interim police chief in Jourdanton, Texas (south of San Antonio).
Parker County, however, is closer to home and family. Lacy grew up in Mesquite before embarking on a 39-year law enforcement career.
Lacy said he was already familiar with Willow Park due to his long-time friendship with council member Chawn Gilliland.
“We've known each other for a long time and I've been up here many times visiting him and coming to police schools so when this position opened and we talked, I knew it's a great place,” Lacy said.
Lacy also served in the University Park area of Dallas.
“I'm all about community service, community care, taking care of our citizens and our business owners,” Lacy said. “We did that in University Park and I think that fits perfectly with what they want to do here, too.”
While technically retired, Lacy said he never intended to stay retired, and in retirement has been doing contract police work.
Lacy graduated from Dallas Baptist University and holds masters certification and an advanced instructor certification in addition to other credentials.
He also graduated from the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), which he said “is the premier place that we send all of our executives.”
He is a graduate of the Texas Municipal League leadership program as well.
His wife, Andrea, is a registered Nurse, and she approved the move to Willow Park.
“She's the one that blesses where we would go before I even apply and she likes it out this way,” he said, adding that she has family in the area as well.
Willow Park City Manager Bryan Grimes said the target date for Lacy to begin his duties is March 24.
[3] 23 January 2025 Special Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 20 January, 2025,
• Executive Session
• Agenda Item 1. Resignation of Chief of Police; Separation Agreement with the Chief of Police; and
• Agenda Item 2 Appointment of Interim Chief of Police.
Reconvene into Open Session and consider action, if any, on the item discussed in Executive Session.
• Agenda Item 2. Discussion & Action: The City Council may accept the resignation of the Chief of Police and approve a Separation Agreement with the Chief of Police [Franklin]
• Agenda Item 3. Discussion & Action: The City Council may appoint an interim Chief of Police.
[4] Willow Park Police Chief Franklin resigns, Interim Police Chief Hamilton sworn. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 24 January 2025
• 11 February 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, Agenda Item 9. Discussion & Action: to form a Chief of Police hiring committee.
• 28 January 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 25 January 2025 Agenda Item 8. Discussion & Action: to authorize Staff to post employment position for Police Chief.
• 14 January 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 10 January 2024
Executive Session Agenda Item 17. Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters; Police Chief Review
• Welcome Police Chief Franklin -- again. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 14 June 2023
• Willow Park Police Department Facebook, posted 02 August 2023
Say hello to Officer Quincy Hamilton! Officer Hamilton was sworn in today and you will see him soon on patrol. Officer Hamilton comes from East Texas with 6yrs of law enforcement experience in various areas. Quincy and his family are excited to be in Willow Park and look forward to meeting everyone!
• Willow Park Police Department Facebook, posted 02 March 2022
If you see this happy face out and about tonight, don't hesitate to tell him Congrats! Officer Hamilton has been promoted to Corporal Hamilton! Make us proud Corporal Hamilton!
• Willow Park Police Department Facebook, posted 30 June 2023
... we wanted to spread some good news going into the weekend: Congratulations to Sgt. Ramirez and Cpl. Hamilton, who have been promoted to Lieutenant: • Lt. Ramirez will continue to be over Support Services and CID (Criminal Investigations Division). • Lt. Hamilton will be over Field Operations.
• Willow Park Police Chief resigns. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 01 March 2023
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